P0227

Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch C Circuit Low

Q: Is it safe to drive with P0227?

Short trips are usually fine, but the car may drop into limp mode with reduced power. Get it diagnosed before relying on it, since throttle response can be unpredictable.

Q: Can I just clear P0227?

It will come back until the circuit fault is repaired. A low-signal circuit code almost always points to real wiring or sensor damage.

Throttle & pedal position Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0227 means the ECM is reading an abnormally low voltage on the 'C' circuit of the throttle-position or accelerator-pedal sensor. Because the computer uses this signal to judge how far the throttle is open, a bad reading can cut power or force the car into a reduced-power limp mode until the fault is fixed.

High

Can I keep driving? Usually driveable, but expect reduced power or limp mode — get it looked at soon, as an erratic throttle signal can make the car surge, hesitate, or lose power unexpectedly.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

scans in the past year

Found in

<0.1%

of scans

<0.1%

of scans that found faults

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Check-engine light on
Reduced power or limp mode
Poor or hesitant throttle response and acceleration
Rough or unstable idle

Common causes

Most likely first

Damaged wiring or a corroded connector in the sensor 'C' circuit (most common)Likely
Faulty throttle-position or accelerator-pedal position sensor 'C'Common
Poor sensor ground or reference-voltage supplyCommon
Failed ECM (rare)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and inspect the sensor connector and wiring for damage, corrosion, or a loose pin.
Back-probe the sensor signal, ground, and 5V reference with a meter and compare to spec.
If wiring checks out, replace the throttle/pedal position sensor.
Only consider the ECM after wiring and sensor are confirmed good. Clear and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0227?+

Short trips are usually fine, but the car may drop into limp mode with reduced power. Get it diagnosed before relying on it, since throttle response can be unpredictable.

Can I just clear P0227?+

It will come back until the circuit fault is repaired. A low-signal circuit code almost always points to real wiring or sensor damage.

Read & clear P0227 yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX